Mrs. Snitzer was a German woman, who, with her husband and three stalwart sons, occupied the floor below. She was a stout, kindly-faced woman of about fifty, had been Deb's neighbor for a year, and took a genuine interest in the girl and her brother.
"Your brudder no got home yet from der fire?" she said, after Deb had stated the object of her morning call; "I thought der fire vas out long ago. Mine boys come home, and vent to ped again, aput five o'clock. Da don't work now, so da say: 'Mudder, ve take a goot sleep for vonce in our lifes;'" she added, with a broad smile.
"Jack's out of work, too," said Deb, soberly.
"Yah? Vat a shame! Nefer mind, it don't last forefer. Come, have some coffee mit me. My man ist gone out for the baber. He come back soon."
The good woman set out one of her low chairs, and knowing that Mrs. Snitzer's invitations were genuine, the girl sat down, and allowed herself to be helped to a bowl of the steaming beverage, accompanied by several slices of sugared zweibach.
Just as the two were finishing Mr. Snitzer came in, paper in hand.
His face grew troubled upon seeing Deb.
"I vas sorry for you," he said, approaching her.
"Sorry for me?" repeated the girl, with a puzzled look. "Why, Mr. Snitzer?"
"Gracious! Didn't you hear?" returned the man, dropping his paper in astonishment.